Majestic manor— Historic edifice is the centerpiece of W. Bountiful reception facility

Williams started working at the manor when he was a teenager after his parents purchased it in 1973 and transformed it into a reception center. In 1985 he left the family business to pursue a national marketing career.

But a few years ago Wal-Mart tried to build a super center on the manor's property. Williams said the national company had a difficult time obtaining some of the other parcels of land near the manor and didn't end up coming to West Bountiful.

"They were going to knock down the home," Williams said. "That's when I started wondering, 'Maybe we should do something about that rather than it becoming a box store.' "

So Williams decided to breathe new life into the family's reception business. In June 2004 after taking over the manor, he closed its doors for six months.

During the renovation, the front porch of the home, which was enclosed sometime before 1970, was restored to its original design, and the one-car garage on the bottom level of the mansion was transformed into a state-of-the-art kitchen.

"Before, we did not have the capacity to do wedding lunches and brunches and that kind of thing, and now we put on one of those a day," Williams said.

An enclosed grand porch was also added to the east side of the manor to house guests during luncheons or receptions.

Steve Salles of Sandy held his daughter's wedding ceremony and reception in the new addition in April 2005.

"I thought it was really fabulous," Salles said of the porch area. "It felt comfortable and really homey."

Salles said the porch, the layout and the price of the manor were deciding factors in holding the wedding and reception in West Bountiful.

"It was the perfect setting, and I was really pleased how it turned out," he said.

Just a few months ago, the manor's adjacent carriage was restored as "The Carriage House Retreat." The retreat features small shops and offices that run the gamut of wedding supplies and services. A photographer, in-house florist, videographer, dressmaker and massage therapist are all available on the estate's 3 acres of land.

"What we're still lacking is a tuxedo (shop), but we'll get that next," Williams said.

Guests can also purchase last-minute gifts at the gift shop on the grounds.

"They could help us with so many things," Nelson said of the variety of services offered at the manor. She held her daughter Jenny's reception at the mansion in September 2005. "As the bride's mother, it really lifted the load. We got our wedding cake from them, and it was so beautiful."

Nelson chose to hold her daughter's reception on the manor's newly landscaped grounds.